Under the Mask

by Lillie1512

After Lillian gets out of the hospital, she gets a late start to her first year of medical school at Marineford University in Sabaody. Everyone around her seem to have already made friends and she is left alone. The first person she meets is Trafalgar Law. Lilly is taken aback my his rudeness. Unknown to her Law;s life is being controlled my illegal trading in the black market.

8. Knight in Shining Armor

*Ace POV*

I should have followed her. I left her go off alone. This is my fault.

I whip open the door to the Sabaody Hospital Emergency Room and storm, slightly intoxicated, over to the receptionist.

"What room is Lillian Hayashi in!? I need to know if she is okay. I left her alone for one second and then I ran into Penguin and he was spazzing out saying she wasn't breathing." I am speaking so fast I am not even sure my words are audible.

Luffy grabs my shoulder and jars me to the side, "Ace what room is she in? Is she okay? Is she dead?"

"BOYS!" Both of our attentions snap to the fiery red headed receptionist. "She is in room 216. She just had her stomach pumped so I am not sure if she will be awake."

The middle aged receptionist has a stern expression on her freckled face, "Now you two can go check on her quietly. You'll wake the patients with that kind of rowdy behavior."

We hang our heads low, "Yes ma'am"

She flashes a smile, "Now up those elevators and go down the right hall. She already has one person in her room. Try to keep the number of people to a minimum please. We don't want her to feel overwhelmed when she wakes up."

She looks us once over before we leave, "I don't know where you boys came from but button up your shirts. This is a hospital not a strip joint."

I blush a little and button only a few buttons on my yellow short sleeve button up that I luckily remembered to grab before I got in the taxi.

"If Traffy is with her she will be okay!" Luffy shoots me a reassuring smile.

I wasn't as trusting as my younger brother. I still had my suspicions about Law.

We pad down the hallway and finally find the room with the door partly open.

Luffy swings it open gently.

The room was an average hospital room. It was a soft blue with a tan love seat and blue recliner. It had wooden cabinets for patient's belongings and extra pillows and blankets. A small TV attached to the wall.

There was a large window with the beige curtains drawn. Only the side lamp was on in the room giving off a soft yellow glow.

And there she was. She lay still in her lace short sleeve dress. The dress's angelic lace was now stained with ugly dark mustard splotches from her body's attempt to get rid of the poisons put in her body. Her chestnut locks sticking to her forehead and neck. Her pale lips now died and cracked. There was already a slight bruising from where the IV was stuck in her arm.

To make things worse, Law was leaning on the bed passed out. His fingers loosely intertwined with hers.

A hot anger shot through my body.

Bastard was causing her so much stress and worry and here he is holding her hand like it was no big deal. This jackass was cutting up girls for Doflamingo.

So I swiftly kick his chair causing him to yelp and fall to the floor in a heap. Not something I probably would do if I was sober but damn it all, I wanted answers.

"What is your problem Mr. Portgas? It is rude to kick people to the ground when they are unconscious." He rubs a hazy eye.

"Stay away from Lily. I don't want suspicious crook working for Doflamingo putting her life in danger." I fume staring at Law who is complacent on the floor.

"Ace! That was mean thing to say to Traffy! Apologize!" My brother scolds as he extends a helping hand to Law.

Law straighten his hat and pulls his chair to Lily's bed side, "Your brother is right Straw Hat-ya. If I hadn't of left for those few minutes to see where my crew was, she wouldn't have been drugged." Regret weighed heavy on his shoulders.

"What do you mean drugged!?" I grab the front of his sweatshirt, hunching down to his level. The quick movement making me spin a little.

"Someone slipped her narcotics at the party. That's what the nurse told me anyway." His eyes were down cast to Lily's hand. I didn't believe him one bit.

"Like I believe any of the bullshit that is coming out of your mouth." I throw him back in his chair.

Luffy stands between the two of us, "Ace stop. Just look at Traffy for a second. Does he look like he wants to fight?"

I bite the inside of my cheek and look Law once over. He was a disheveled mess.

Hair messier than it normally was. Near black bags sat under his eyes. His golden eyes near lifeless; gazing off in the distance trying to grasp a thought. He made no witty comebacks, just sat there and took it.

"Fine. If she was drugged I am going to get Marco down here than so the police can start a proper investigation." I look down my nose at Law, "Unless you have a problem with the police Trafalgar."

The ravenette stands and strides past me only taking a few steps with his long legs, "Do what you want. I am going to grab some coffee."

With that he leaves and I take his spot next to Lily and call Marco.

The first two times he doesn't answer.

"He is probably sleeping Ace. It is like 3 in the morning now." My brother points out as he flips channels on the muted TV.

"He'll pick up. It's Marco." My brother nods leaving the TV on a cartoon channel putting the subtitles on.

My brother cares in odd was. Like now having the TV on silent on the couch checking on Lily every once and awhile.

I smile a little to myself until a groggy voice cuts in, "Ace the world better be ending. So help me if this is a drunk call I will throw those illegal fireworks that you have under your bed that you think I don't know about."

"Marco! No I am close to 100%. It is Lillian. Someone drugged her at that party."

There was a lot of rustling at the other end of the phone, "I am on my way."

"Thanks so much Marco. Can you grab that case file that we have been looking at?"

I hear the shuffle of papers, "Do you really think this connected? I mean I guess it could be with Lillian's blood type, but if it is Law why would he stay?"

I wipe Lily's face with a cloth in my free hand, "Better safe than sorry right?"

"Your right. I'll be there soon. Don't do anything stupid before I get there." Marco was using his police man voice so I knew he was serious.

"Yes dear." I try to lighten the mood but I can feel Marco roll his eyes.

"Shut up Ace." With that the receiver hangs up.

I watch as Luffy taps at his phone, "Is the rest of your crew coming?"

He nods not looking up from the phone, "Yeah they are just shutting everything down. Chopper told them to stay in the waiting room and we should keep the updated until Lily wakes up."

"Smart. Don't want that nurse after us. Man was she scary." Luffy giggles in agreement. I wag an eyebrow at Luffy, "Do you think that is what Nami is going to turn into?"

Luffy's sticks his tongue out at me, "Nami is not that scary." He rubs the back of his head, "Well maybe when it comes to money."

The light hearted mood is ruined when Law walks in with a tray of 3 coffees on it. He sets them on the table by Lily's bed side, "There all black if you want anything else get it yourself."

"Thanks Traffy!" My brother takes a huge gulp. Quickly sticking his tongue out and fanning it with his hand, "Hot."

My brother earns a booming laughter from me and a small chuckle from Law.

He grabs his coffee and retreats to love seat with Luffy, giving me space.

I sip my coffee letting the hot, bitter liquid start to sober me up. The gesture of a coffee run was unexpected kindness from Law.

I turn to Law and give him a small defeated smile, "Thank you Law."

He gives me a side glance over his coffee cup, "No need to thank me Mr. Portgas. I am only doing it for Lily-ya." His voice was tired and weak.

I turned my attention back to attending to Lily.

A guilt stirred in my stomachache. Maybe I was wrong about Law? He was being nice right now but maybe it was a cover up.

Only time would tell. Right now all Lily was the only thing on that should be on my mind.

I took her pale hand and rested my forehead against it, feeling the coolness off her skin on my face.

Please wake up.

*Corazon POV* -outside The Sunny before the incident-

How was I supposed to do this? I couldn't just go up to her out of an alley and just be "Hey remember me? I left you without a word a year ago when your mom died."

I grasp for a cigarette out of my breast pocket and light it up.

I take a deep inhale and hold it in my lungs for a moment and slowly exhale. Becoming relaxed from the familiar burn and high of nicotine.

My brother told me to be here though so here I am and I have to be the obedient little brother so I don't get myself killed. My brother wouldn't put it past himself to kill family for personal gain.

I know. I watched it happen.

"Bepo! Pull the car up now! Lily-ya isn't breathing."

My ears perk up from the familiar voice and I peek out behind the corner and pull the dark feathers around me tighter feeling like a stalker that I probably am.

There was a forest green four door jeep pulled up to the side door. A tall but stocky albino man opens the back door.

My eyes grow wide and my heart drops when I see Law carrying a motionless Lily in his arms.

There was some more inaudible speech before the man name Bepo ran off back inside.

Law tries his best to get in the car without causing Lily to be jerked about to much but her head lulls to the side causing her hair to cascade in front of her face as Law steps up into the car.

Law sits sideways in the jeep supporting her with one arm and pushing the hair tenderly out of her face with his free hand.

"Lily-ya I am so sorry. I should have taken better care of you. Once you became curious of Doflamingo I shouldn't have let you out of my sight." He cradles her against his chest, his forehead pressed to the top of her scalp. His words choked by tears. "I should never have thought of using you as a quota. You have been way too kind and now you will probably never forgive me."

He wipes the tears from his face as the albino man comes back, "Bepo drive. Fast."

Bepo nods and closes the door and rushes to the front seat.

"Fuffuffuffuff. Isn't that just precious. The scientist's and subject's kids are falling hopelessly in love. Didn't that scene just move you to tears brother?"

The hairs stand on the back of my neck. I spin around somehow managing to lose my one of my shoes in the process.

I grab my phone and type, "Why are you here?" Trying to keep my expression calm.

"Trying to create an opportunity for you baby brother! It's not playing out exactly how I wanted to but this will do." He grins his twisted grin gesturing a tan hand to where only tire tracks remain.

I raise a questioning eyebrow trying to seem oblivious but the uncomfortable tightness in my chest already knows what he meant.

"Monet has been observing Lillian all night searching for the perfect moment for us to snatch her up and take her home. Figured we can make up some elaborate story that would make you a hero. Maybe saved her from a mugger or something. You know I love my drama, but it appears that the drugs and alcohol didn't mix as well as it usually does. So improvisations!" I take this moment to slip on shoe so I don't have to make eye contact with my wicked brother.

He clamps a large hand on my shoulders forcing me upright, "Now go play the hero! I made a quick call to make sure that you were her emergency contact so you look like a loving father figure and not some creep."

I reach for my phone again, "Thank you. I will make sure to use this opportunity to its fullest."

"Now." Doffy thrusts something to my chest hard enough to knock some of the air out of me. "Go reunite with your step-daughter. Fuffuffuffuff." I watch the pink feathers disappear into a limo.

A catch a glimpse of a lean figure with long green hair that can only belong to Monet. She gives me a little wink and a wave with her fingertips. She vanishes when Doffy's feathery arm wraps around her consuming her in pink.

For a moment a stare dumbly down at the sea green with pink paisley Vera Bradly duffel in my arms.

I carefully unzip it. A small part of me nervous that it will explode.

A change of clothes, a brush, tooth brush, tooth paste, a small shower kit.

A hospital bag.

Reality catches up and I run, only tripping once, to the town car my brother ever so kindly left to me.

As I am driven, I rest my head against the window watching the nightlife of Sabaody pass by. I can't help think of the past year.

I can't imagine what she went though. She had no one to lean on so she relied on drugs.

I bit my lip. This is my fault. I should have stayed, but with my brother it is never that easy.

I wasn't supposed to fall in love with Elizabeth.

I wasn't supposed to love Lillian like she was my own daughter.

-at the hospital-

I shove my pre-type phone message in the receptionist face.

She is a little taken a back but I watch as her hazel eyes follow the typing.

"Hayashi Lillian is in room 216. I am not sure if she is up yet. There are three other people in her room. Try to keep the number to a minimum. I don't want her to be overwhelmed when she wakes up." The red head receptionist gestured to a fairly large group of people behind me, "They are here for her too."

I scan the group of 10 or so people and just bow quickly and try to rush away but a small freckled boy speaks up, "How do you know Lily?"

I tap my foot impatiently and type out, "Father."

They are uneasy glances around the group when a familiar blonde with a pineapple haircut stands, "Lillian's father past away months ago." He takes a few steps close to me searching my eyes for a slip up.

My hands shake a little with anxiety. I did not have time for this. I tap my screen adding making it "step farther."

I bow long to apologize before a dash away.

As soon as a reach the doorframe. Four head snap my way.

"Who is the feather guy?" The smallest ravenette with a straw hat asks.

"Mr. Donquixote what are you doing here?" I knew that voice. It was officer Portgas. I ran into him a few times when the police were trying to charge my brother with something or another.

Law stands in front of Lillian protectively, "Corazon. You bastard. I won't let you touch her."

That reply made Ace move himself closer to Lillian putting a protective hand on her forearm.

Lillian eyes were wide as saucers. I watches as tears started to fill them to the brim, "Rosinante." Her voice cracks.

The room filled with a thick silence. I give her a smile that was somewhere between relief and apologetic and nod.

"Lily do you know feather guy?" The Straw Hat boy's eyes slide back between Lillian and me.

"Lily? Hey you okay?" Ace's voice had a worried tone. Why? Because my presence made Lillian break down in tears.

I hated my very being at this moment. Just stepping in a room was causing her this much pain. Putting more stress on her already broken body.

She wipes her eyes with the hospital sheet and she looks me in the eyes. Her eyes are filled with an unreadable emotions.

She clears her throat gaining everyone attention, "He's. . He's my father."

*Chopper POV* -after Corazon runs off-

"Marco was that who I think it was?" Sanji asks staring down the hallway where the golden blonde man ran down.

Our pineapple hair friend gives a knowing nod, "That would be Doflamingo's younger brother Corazon. He never makes appearances in public. He is camera shy too. There probably is only a handful of pictures of him out there."

"What are the chances that Doflamingo's younger brother is Lillian's stepfather though?" I sip my heavily sugared coffee.

The large group has a moment of silence. I wasn't surprised that all of the crew came, but I was a little surprised to see Vivi and Kohza here.

We were an odd group. All of Luffy's crew were dressed up in pirate gear; I still had my deer makeup on and my antlers on. Vivi and Kohza has their Arab royalty costumes on; Vivi jingled every time she moved.

"This world is too large for situations like this to be a consequence." Marco, the only normal looking one in our group, finally breaks the silence.

"You have a very valid point officer Marco, but what is the connection?" Robin inquire moving closer to Franky for warmth in the chilly waiting room.

Marco stand straightening his purple button down, "Let's find out."

The waiting room is dead silent as Marco pull out his badge and politely demands to see Lillian's file and talk to a doctor.

The receptionists simply nods, probably used to dealing with cops at 3 in the morning.

"This is absolutely ridiculous. She only left the table to use the restroom." Zoro ruffles his hair, "Did anyone notice anything strange?

"Honestly I think we were all to plastered to take notice." Nami responds honestly pulling her black peacoat tighter around her, most likely regretting only wearing a bikini for her costume.

"I should have went with her. Girls go to the bathroom together. That's what we do." Vivi eyes overfill with tears.

Kohza quickly wraps an arm around Vivi, "You couldn't have known that was going to happen. All we can do now is wait and help figure out what is going on from here on out."

Vivi just sniffs and bobs her head.

Suddenly Marco storms back in, a rare sight with his laid back temperament.

"Hey Marco man. What is going on?" Franky sits forward into his seat making his wind pants rustle.

"Is Lily dead? In a coma?" Usopp claps his hands to the side of his face.

Marco ignores the dramatization.

"Ace was right. This ties to the other cases." Marco mumbles under his breath as he opens is brown leather Kenneth Cole briefcase. He sits cross-legged in the middle of the group waving a manila folder. "Lillian had a blood alcohol level of a .28 and passed out after she was drugged."

Brook twirls his coffee stick, "Not to be rude but we already know that."

Marco spreads out pictures of girls across this floor, "This is the case file to the Surgeon of Death cases. I know that name is ironic because he doesn't kill any of the girls he cuts open, but his skills and his ability to escape the law is what makes his deadly."

He waves his hand in front of his face, "But that's not important. These girl have all disappeared around the end of the month showing up a few days later with some organs missing and no memory of the past few days. All of the victims have disappeared from congested areas like bars and clubs."

"Just like the Sunny was tonight. . . yesterday?" I glance over the picture of young adult girls ranging in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.

Marco points a finger at Chopper, "Exactly. No one in the bars or clubs the girls have been taken from said they saw anything suspicious. To make it this case more difficult there hasn't been a person that has been at those bars every single night. They have to be working in groups."

He holds up a toxicology reports, "These girls only have a few things in common. One they all have O- negative blood types. Two they have clean systems so they have to been held somewhere for at least three days. Three they have no memory of what happened."

"What drugs were found in Lily's system?" I ask picking up the meaning of this prologue.

Marco taps his finger on his nose and looks at me, "Very smart Chopper. Scopolamine was found in her system. Chopper if you may."

Everyone turns their attention to me, "It is actually a motion sickness drug when taken in small doses. The legal dose caps at .33 milligrams. But when someone increases the does past that. . in simple terms it becomes a drug that takes away free will. There has been a lot of cases where people hand over large amounts of money and wake up the next completely oblivious."

Franky gives a low whistle, "That is super scary. That was what was found in Lily's system?"

Marco gives an affirming head nod, "Yup there was 5 milligrams in her system. The perpetrator probably wanted her to go with them but the alcohol ruined their plans. Whatever group has been behind this made a slip up, but with how smart this perp has been before there is no way to tell if it was intentional or not."

"And to make things better," Marco continues. "Corazon is Lillian's emergency contact. His title is guardian. There is no evidence however that he was ever married to Lillian's mother, so that is something we will have to ask her."

Sanji stares hard at the picture of the women, "Who would do such a thing to all of these beautiful women!?"

Marco starts to clean up the overlaying pictures, "People are sick and manipulative. You never know what is going through someone's mind."

Marco reaches for another picture but is stopped by Vivi's hand, "I'm in this picture."

Everyone stares dumbfounded. Vivi examines the grainy security camera picture closer, "This was around two weekends ago. We went to get some drinks with friends after the football game."

Kohza leans over her shoulder, "We were sitting right next to that girl. She was getting his on by a lanky ravenette with a goatee, but that is all I remember about him. She was loud so it was hard to ignore them."

Marco stares hard at them, Vivi especially, "This girl name is Mimi. She lost her liver, a kidney, blood, and bone marrow. She had to drop out of college and move home because her mental health was so poor. Vivi if you are not saying something that is a crime you know that right?"

Vivi bites her lip, "I only met him once before the occasion so I didn't know for sure, but I thought it was Law. The guy introduced himself under a different name though. I thought I was mistaken because but I swore he had tattoo on his hands."

Marco pulls out his Hp laptop and tosses it over to Franky, "Find the security footage for the Dutchman that night. The picture will be clearer on there."

Franky's large hands span across the whole computer, "On it. I'll have it up in two shakes."

Usopp crosses his arms and holds his nose high, "I knew that Law was behind all of this. I predicted this days ago."

Nami whacks him on the head, "We have a close relationship with Law give him some benefit of a doubt."

Usopp rubs his forming bump, "I know. I know. It's just hard to believe you know."

"Sorry but this isn't going to make it any easier." Franky turns the laptop to face us. A clear picture of law holding a drink with the letters EATH and the cross on the back of his hand was on display.

I stare with disbelief, "What do you think the chances of him having a good explanation are?"

Robin pulls me into her side trying her best to comfort me.

Marco gathers his things and stands. He grips his briefcase so hard his knuckles are white. I was not sure if he was angry that his missed the evidence before or that he may possibly ruin a tight knit groups of friends.

He inhales deeply, "Let's find out."

*Lillian POV* -a little before Corazon-

I woke up rather disoriented. My body felt cumbersome, and my throat felt like sandpaper. I tried to sit up but a hand gently pushed me back down.

"Lily. You are in a hospital. You passed out at the party and had to get your stomach pumped." The voice I knew was Ace but when I tried to open my eye they felt like they were being engulfed in flames.

"Al. . .cough. .. cough. . . Alcohol poisoning?" My voice came out raspy.

"You were drugged." Trafalgar's voice was filled with an unusually guilty tone.

"Excuse me?" I rub my eyes as someone hands a water glass, "Thought you could use this. I am glad you're finally up."

I squint and a place the slowing focusing blob that was Luffy, "Thank you Luffy." I turn to an extremely tired looking Trafalgar leaning on the arm of the love seat in the room. "What do you mean drugged?"

"I found you passed out on the bathroom floor. Someone slipped you something and it reacted poorly with the alcohol in your system. It was likely some form of narcotic. With the drugs depressant effects on top of the alcohol your body nearly shut down." Trafalgar informs in a professional tone.

I hold my head and try to pull forward a memory but only manage to bring heat to my face, "The last thing I remember is dancing on top of the bar when I was with Ace."

I peak at Ace between my fingers seeking conformation. He just gives me a weary smile and stokes my hand, which I only now notice he is holding, with his thumb. "Don't worry about things like that now. All the people were too drunk to care."

It was a warm and comforting gesture that made me feel safe, but not at ease, "Was this a party mistake or. . ." I try to swallow the lump in my throat.

Ace gives my hand a squeeze, "We will know more when the toxicology report comes back. I woke Marco up. We are going to get to the bottom of this."

"And when we find out who the bad guy is, I'll kick their ass." Luffy interjects into the conversation.

A give a small laugh but if fades quickly as a catch a glimpse of Trafalgar. He didn't react to anything. His thoughts were somewhere else. I couldn't place what he was thinking about.

The sound of the door swinging open grabs all of our attention.

Tall. Fair skin. Shaggy golden-blonde hair. Sharp russet eyes. Dark purple feather coat. Mismatched loafers.

Please no. Not him. It can't be true.

"Who is the feather guy?" Luffy jabs a thumb toward the mystery man.

"Mr. Donquixote what are you doing here?" Ace has a familiar tone with the man standing in the door. That I made a mental note to ask about it later.

Trafalgar stands in front of me extending an arm between the blonde and me, "Corazon. You bastard. I won't let you touch her."

Corazon? That's not right?

Sorrow sat heavy on my heart.

Why would Trafalgar call him that? Unless . . . It was all a lie.

That reply made Ace move himself closer to me putting a protective hand on my forearm.

I stare deep into his russet eyes. Memories of trips to the museum, going to the beach, and supporting me at gigs flash through my mind.

Wetness taints my cheeks without warning.

The man who left me.

"Rosinante." My voice cracks.

The room filled with a thick silence.

"Lily do you know feather guy?" I could feel Luffy eyes shift back and forth between Rosinante. . . Corazon. . . and me.

"Lily? Hey you okay?" Ace's voice had a worried tone. Why? Probably because I can't take my eyes of the ghost of my past standing in the doorway giving me an apologetic smile.

Say something. Anything. Everyone is waiting. Why isn't my voice working?

I wipe my eyes with the hospital sheet and dare look at him in the eyes again. He had pleading eyes that begged forgiveness.

I clear my throat to gain everyone's attention, "He's. . He's my father."

"You told me your father was dead." Trafalgar's voice drops to something near a growl.

Ace hands me a tissue. I can't bring myself to look at Trafalgar. I feel guilty with my familiarity with the man because Trafalgar seems to have a grudge toward the man. I try my best to clarify, "Step farther. Kind of. Ummm. . . He was my mom's fiancé, but they didn't get married because. . . yeah.

"Why did you call him Rosinante?" Luffy points of the obvious question.

I sniff staring at the man motionless in the doorway, "That what he said his name was, but apparently that was a lie."

I look toward the two named man for an explanation.

Trafalgar sits down on my bed and roll his eyes, "That bastard is a mute he won't reply. Your dear step father is the younger brother to Doflamingo. They head the company together. He is not any sort of family man that he pretended to be in the past."

I rub my eyes with. Head throbbing, "What the hell is happening?" I lock eyes with Rosinante, "You were always a man of few words but mute? When did that happen? Was it after mom died?" The reply is an ambiguous shrug.

"For the six months I have known him, not a word has come from his mouth." Trafalgar looks flabbergasted.

Rosinante ignores the confrontation and strides over and extends a Vera Bradly duffel towards me. He sets it at my feet and puts in hands together in a begging manner.

"Do you want it?" Ace asks hesitantly, eyeing Rosinante.

I nod and unzip the bag as Trafalgar watches carefully almost expecting it to explode.

I raise an eyebrow, "An overnight bag. Thank you Rosi."

Rosinante give me a large smile, rubbing the back of his head.

Trafalgar eyebrow twerks with annoyance, "Rosi?"

I dig for a brush, a few more tears escape, "Sorry force of habit."

"Why is he here even?" Luffy asks rather suddenly.

Rosinante pulls out his phone to type, earning another annoyed eye roll from Trafalgar, "You're her emergency contact. Closest thing she had left to family."

He tap his nose and points at Trafalgar.

"Closest thing you had left to family?" Ace asks as I start to work out the tangles.

"Yeah. I thought so, but he ran off after my mother died." I grip the handle on my brush tight trying to fend off more tears.

"So you just pop up out of nowhere when there is an emergency like this but not when she was having her liver removed? You are a shitty guardian. You left her when she needed it the most you know." Trafalgar's voice bubbled with rage.

"You did the same Law don't act high and mighty. You were the last person to see her." Ace snaps.

"You were the last person to see me?" I shoot Trafalgar a confused glance, "What the hell happened last night then?"

"He told us he was going to take you home but when he went to get a car, he came back and you were on the bathroom floor." Luffy supplies Trafalgar his answer.

I glare at Trafalgar knowing he was keeping secrets like always, "What really happened?"

"What don't believe me?" Trafalgar hisses.

"Well if you gave her a reason to trust you maybe she would believe you." Ace states matter of factly.

I raise my arms in a gestures that says 'can't argue', but am flustered that I can't think of words to say. I just sat there rubbing my temples.

"Guys stop fighting. You'll stress her out." Luffy stands trying to be a distraction. I was relieved that he was trying to calm down the commotion that was giving me a splitting headache.

I move my hair to the side of my head to braid it to keep it off my sticky neck.

A low gruff voice breaks through the farce, "Who did that?"

I blink slowly. Stunned by the sudden feathers in my face. Rosinante brushes my neck with examining finger, "Who stained my poor innocent girl!?" Rosinante's voice sounds just like it did in the past: a caring father.

"You CAN talk! You bastard!" Trafalgar reaches toward him.

Rosinante's eyes however just see red, "Law. You didn't do this horrible deed did you?" He turns and grabs Ace's police uniform, "What about you mister police officer?"

"What is going on?" The always clueless Luffy questions.

"My baby has a hickey." He bites his thumb.

Everyone eyes turn on me like I was some sort of freak show.

I groan, "Oh god. I hope I didn't do anything stupid." I jerk my head up, "It wasn't one of you was it? Oh god!" I hide in my hands.

All of the boys deny.
Thank god.

"Good no one taints my Lilypad and get away with it." Wraps a protective, feathery arm around me.

"I said. . " Trafalgar starts to rampage again.

"Get off." My voice rumbles.

"What?" Rosinante and Trafalgar's voices sound in unison.

I cross my arms against my chest causing my IV to pull a little making me grimace, "Next time I talk to either of you, you better have an explanation to what the hell is going on."

Both of them try to speak, but I cut them off with my hand and speak through clenched teeth, "I don't want excuses. I want answers."

Rapt. Rapt.

"Sorry to interrupt whatever is going on here but this is important." Marco presence finally calms everything down.

He leans against the railing at the foot of my bed giving me a serious expression that's makes me feel anything but hopeful, "Lillian there is no easy way to say this, but your drugging wasn't an accident. There was a substantial about of Scolpamine in your system. The drug is large does is said to makes the consumer become easily influenced. If you hadn't of been drinking so heavily, the Scolpamine wouldn't have reacted so to knock you unconscious."

"Someone tried to control my body." I clutch my dress, and my body starts to shake. What did they want to do to me? "Dah . . Do you know who?"

Marco stays in his police mode, "We actually think it is tied to the Surgeon of Death case. This is almost identical to the previous ones. A young girl with O negative blood is taken from highly populated areas."

Ace sighs and slumps sits down on the bed next to me, "Okay we know what drug the perp uses, but what good is that? There has been no substantial evidence in that case."

I shift uneasy. Having two cops in the room and knowing Trafalgar was the one cutting up those girls was weighing on my conscious.

"Actually," Marco continues, "with the help of Luffy's friends. We have a suspect that we have enough evidence to take in."

"Really that is great! I can get revenge for Lily now." Luffy pumps his fists.

Marco exchanges a look with Ace before he continues, "Trafalgar Law you are a suspect in the Surgeon of Death case. We can do this the easy way and you come down to the precinct and answer a few questions or I can arrest you. Up to you."

"Marco that can't be right! It's Traffy! He saved my life before!" Luffy pleads.

Trafalgar is going to jail.

I stare at him wide eyed. He meets my gaze biting his cheek.

Just go. Please don't look suspicious

"I'll go I have nothing to hide. This is all some misunderstandings." Trafalgar raises his arms in surrender.

Marco gives a small bow, "Thank you for your cooperation. Now come with me."

"Before I go." Trafalgar is consumed me a hatful aura and he towers over my bedside, "Lily-ya I highly suggest you stay away from this man. Your dear step father killed my parents."

With that he leaves.

Before Rosinante even can open his mouth I just snap, "Just get out! I don't want to hear any of this now. Someone is out for my body and now of all time you have to wandering back into my life acting like you did nothing wrong. I also have to deal with that ominous shit Trafalgar said about you. Just leave please there are too many people here."

Marco whispers something to Ace. Luffy makes up some excuse about checking on his friends. Rosinante just sulks out of the room defeated.

Ace tries to get up but I grab his shirt, "Please stay. You are the only one who hasn't lies to me." My voice was small and choked with tears.

Ace squeezes on the bed and wraps his arms around me resting his chin on my head, "I am sorry this is all happening to you Lily. I am here if you need anything. Shoulder to cry on, someone to vent to, or someone to go kick criminals' asses with."

An ugly snort sneaks its way out as Ace hands me a tissues.

I blow my nose and lean on Ace's shoulder hugging my knees, "I am scared to go home. What if they are waiting for me?"

Ace nudges my knee with his, "Would you feel safe in the home of two police officers?"

I turn my eyes up to Ace whose freckled face is giving me a large toothy grin.

"I guess so." My eyes unable to break eye contact with his chocolate eyes.

"Then come home with me."

A warm sensations spread throughout my body and giggle a little, "I should have been a princess tonight?"

Ace raises and eyebrow at me.

I lean my head back on his shoulder, "You really are my knight in shining armor."

I feel his chest vibrate, "I'll take that as a yes."

He leans his head on top of mine.

I hum, "Yes."

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Alright! Here we go! This story is turning out to be a lot more dramatic than I thought. Which is probably good!

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